NHTSA Complaint #10908160 — 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

WIFE PARKING ON 1ST FLOOR OF PARKING STRUCTURE IN DOWNTOWN GREEN BAY, WI JULY 13TH 2016. SHE SHIFTED TO REVERSE TO ADJUST THE VEHICLE SO AS TO ENTER THE PARKING SPACE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE BACK WHILE SHE LOOKED OVER HER SHOULDER TO SEE WHAT WAS BEHIND HER. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK STOPPED GOING BACK & VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD. THE TRUCK STARTED MOVING RAPIDLY FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT HAD NOT BEEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE FRONT TIRES JUMPED UP ON THE CURB AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. THE TRUCK HIT THE CEMENT WALL VIOLENTLY AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH A PORTION OF THE CEMENT WALL. THE MOTOR WAS REVVING LOUDLY WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PRESSED UP AGAINST THE WALL AS IF TRYING TO PUSH ITS WAY THROUGH THE WALL. WIFE HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF AS THE PUSH BUTTON START WAS INEFFECTIVE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING EASILY OUT OF GEAR. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN $11K+ IN DAMAGES TO THE TRUCK AND $40K+ IN DAMAGES TO THE PARKING STRUCTURE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SHIFT LEVER FOR THE 2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE WHICH IS S27/WHTSA 16V-240. TRIED TO GET RECALL FIXED A MONTH PRIOR TO THE CRASH BUT WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF YET. CRASH OCCURRED WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS TO BE AVAILABLE. CHRYSLER SAYS THIS RECALL IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. RELUCTANTLY FILED ACCIDENT CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. CLAIMS ADJUSTER ADVISED HE HAD 2 OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THE INSURED CLAIMED THIS MODEL OF TRUCK HAD SHIFTED ITSELF INTO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE ON ITS OWN.